Before the ingenuity of science and chemicals and synthetic materials, natural products or products easily processed by hand were used in every aspect of life. Things that we now use purely as foodstuffs were very popular household remedies. The properties that made these items right for the uses they were put to haven’t disappeared, we just have moved on and believe we have better solutions. Here are 9 uses of vinegar. (You can use any type of vinegar but remember that brown vinegar can stain certain materials)
If you love plants like azaleas, rhododendrons and gardenias but can’t grow them successfully because your garden soil is too alkaline, you can increase soil acidity by adding a cup of vinegar to a gallon of tap water.
One of the great uses of vinegar is to eliminate pet urine stains and odour from carpet. Firstly blot up the urine with a soft cloth and rinse the area several times with lukewarm water. Mix equal parts vinegar and cool water then apply to the affected area, blot up, rinse and allow to dry.
This is a use for vinegar you can share with your partner. Vinegar can clean the rust from tools, bolts, widgets and spigots. Simply leave the rusted item in undiluted vinegar overnight then rinse clean. Dry thoroughly to avoid rust growing back too quickly.
You can freshen up the washing machine, unclog soap scum and clean the hoses and pipes with vinegar. Once every month, tip one cup of vinegar into the machine and run a normal cycle without clothes. You can also treat your dishwasher in the same way.
A really useful and hygienic use of vinegar in your kitchen is to wipe down your wooden chopping boards. Remove any food residue then wipe down with undiluted vinegar.
You can use vinegar to unclog a shower head. Remove the head from the shower/hose, take off any rubber seals etc then place into a saucepan large enough to cover the head with equal parts water and vinegar. Bring to the boil then leave to simmer for a short while until the shower head is clean.
You can remove bumper stickers and other decals with vinegar. Soak a cloth in undiluted vinegar and rub gently over the sticker for a few minutes until it soaks in. The sticker should then peel or scrape off easily.
Vinegar makes a great glass cleaner. It will remove streaks that proprietary cleaners leave behind on mirrors or dishwasher water spot stains on drinking glasses.
You can use vinegar to fight dandruff. After shampooing, rinse first with a cup of vinegar then with clean water. If you are concerned about the smell of vinegar in your hair crush some cardamom pods into some warm water, allow to infuse then sieve the cooled water before using it in your final rinse.
I hope you find these uses for vinegar helpful. If anyone has got any more handy tips, please share.
Top image source: eatinginsjersey.com